Paterson Can't Even Cut $11 Million Out Of State Budget, As Negotiations Fail To Close State Parks

Paterson caved on a threat to close 55 state parks and historic
sites, which means the budget deficit just grew by $11 million.

You'd think state parks would be an easy, if tragic, item to
strip from the budget. But why cut anything when you can
sweep money from dedicated funds and hide the deficit?

AP:"The Legislature has made the tough choices to my satisfaction
that will enable us to open the parks," Paterson said. His
administration had listed 41 parks and 14 of the state's 35
historic sites for closing, along with service cuts at others, to
help close the state's budget gap.

Paterson said negotiations that ended early Thursday morning
would provide $11 million for full operations this year,
effectively offset by money from the Environmental Protection
Fund, which would be cut by about $74 million. The measure is
also expected to keep the historic sites open this year, as well
as Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds targeted
for closing.

In fact, by borrowing $74 million from the EPF, the state can
keep every single park open and may even reduce the
deficit.